Originally Posted by Rowan
Ahhh, Hitchy, are you sure. Don't you pop it into the big ring/little cog and go for it to get max acceleration and then top speed as soon as possible after the crest?
There's also a school of thought that you should continue to "ghost pedal" on the downhill to pump the lactic acid out of the leg muscles, especially the calves, and to keep the ligaments and muscles supple for the next (inevitable) climb.
G'day rowan,
bloody taswegians....I didn't say stop pedalling....a lot of inexperienced racers, will do the climb as quickly as they reasonably can, then 'sit up' at the top....those still pushing behind will close up gaps quickly. At 200lbs, i'd suggest he's not gunna be 'redlining' his heart going down the other side....& thus his recovery will begin...you ar right about the 'ghost pedalling though...I made that mistake at the Alpine Classic a few years ago.....just cruised down Falls creek without pedalling, when I needed to pedal, I cramped straight away,
cheers,
Hitchy